Hogwarts Again - A New Generation

Chapter 4 – Magical Moments

DISCLAIMER: I DO NOT OWN HARRY POTTER.

It had been two years since Dudley had become friends with Harry. Harry had married Ginny Weasley a week ago. Dudley and his parents had been invited to the wedding, though Dudley's father had refused to go. Harry hadn't minded. Dudley didn't think Harry gave a damn what happened to his uncle. Harry had had Ron as his best man. The wedding had gone well, and Dudley was happy for his cousin.

Dudley now loved Violet so much that he was completely happy only when he was with her. He had been planning on proposing to her, but couldn't imagine how. He had decided that he only needed to be honest with himself and with her. Just speak his mind. But that didn't seem enough. But, after one whole month of thinking and pondering, he didn't have any better idea. He just had to get going with it.

Next day was the seventh of July. He had been planning on proposing to her that day, as she had told him that seven was the most magical number. He had chosen the seventh day of the seventh month.

He woke up very early and couldn't go back to sleep. So, he took to pacing up and down his room. He knew deep down that she loved him, she would accept him. But he couldn't help feeling nervous. She was coming over to lunch today.

When Violet arrived, he felt more nervous than ever. She looked very pretty. She always did, but even more now.

"Hi," she said, smiling at Dudley.

"Hi," said Dudley, managing a smile. Looking into her eyes, he forgot everything else. Next thing he knew, he was sitting at the table, and his mother was serving him pudding. He realised he had been in a trance all through lunch.

After lunch, Dudley and Violet took a stroll in the neatly mown garden. He tried working up his nerve, forcing himself to think of positive things. It worked.

"Violet," he said. She looked at him with questioning eyes. As their eyes met, he had an inspiration. He felt full of hope.

"Violet," he took her hands in his. "I love you, Violet. So much that I have no words with which to elaborate. I cannot imagine my life without you in it. Even if I can, I don't want to live such a life. I promise to love you every moment for the rest of my life. Violet Mary Wilson, will you marry me?"

She looked at him with shining eyes. That was answer enough. She glowed with pleasure. Her eyes were suddenly shining not only with happiness, but with tears too. Dudley realised that his had moistened with pleasure and relief too. He blinked. Then, he drew Violet close to him and kissed her like he had never kissed her before. She was shy after that, looking down at her feet, her hair hiding her face as usual.

Next day, Violet came over again and asked Dudley to come for a walk with her as she had something important to discuss. Violet was grave right now, which was not at all normal.

"Dudley, you should tell your parents the truth about me," she said abruptly, after a few minutes of silence.

"What?" was all Dudley could manage.

"I feel like I would be deceiving them if we don't tell them," said Violet. "I have discussed it with Mom and Dad, and they agree. What do you think?"

"I don't think that is a very good idea," said Dudley firmly. "They hate magic. They would hate you, and I don't want that. Personally, I don't care whether or not they are happy with my choice. As long as they don't intervene, I am happy. But telling them the truth would be a silly move. You will only attract hatred and disgust, and I don't like that."

They continued to argue, and had wandered near Lee's Tea without really seeing where they were going, and now, Dudley was startled when someone hailed him.

"Hey, Dudley. How're you doing?" It was Harry. He grinned at him.

"Hey, Harry. Oh, I say, you couldn't spare me some time, could you? I want to ask you something," Dudley said, suddenly getting an idea.

"Sure. What's it? Are you two getting married?"

"Um... uh... well, yeah, we are," said Dudley. "That's what we were talking about, actually. Arguing about, I should say." He glanced at Violet, who seemed to have grasped what he was about to do. She nodded in approval. "Violet wants to tell Mum and Dad that she's a witch. I don't agree. What do you say? You might know something that I don't."

"Well," said Harry slowly. "I do know something. I like Violet's idea. Aunt Petunia doesn't really hate magic. She pretends she does. She's just jealous that her sister had it and she didn't. Don't ask me how I know. I think she would be happy, really."

They talked for a few minutes more, and Dudley promised to invite him to the wedding. Before setting off again, Dudley and Violet had agreed that they should both get over with it immediately. Harry proved to be right. When she heard, Mrs. Dursley burst into tears, and confessed that she had pretended to hate magic all along.

"I'm happy for you, Dudley," she said. "I wanted magic myself very badly, but couldn't have it. You have found it. Make sure you cherish it."

Dudley's father had been shocked. He hated the idea. But, with a lot of persuasion from his wife, he agreed to come to the wedding.

Violet had wanted to get married in the open, and Dudley had agreed. Invitations had been sent out, one to Harry and his friends, as well. His mother had surprisingly agreed to that, as well. After a few months of extremely hard work, all was ready. The wedding itself was in a week's time. At first, the time passed slowly. Then, things began to speed up. There were only six days to the wedding, now only five. Suddenly it was four days, and then three, then two, then one, then it was the Day!

A/N: Hey, folks. How did you find the story so far? I know it's not much compared to other stories you would've read, but it's my first attempt, so please tell me if it's all right. :)